Ratos's associated company Martinsson makes public offer for IMS

Martinsson makes public offer for IMS Ratos's associated company Martinsson has today made a public offer for its competitor IMS Data. Martinsson is offering SEK 4,05 per share. The offer has a total value of SEK 102m and will be financed with Martinsson's own funds. IMS Data's board will unanimously recommend shareholders to accept Martinsson's offer. "Martinsson's offer is motivated by opportunities to profitably exploit the synergy effects which a merger with IMS Data will provide. Today, Martinsson is a well structured company with a strong financial position. Overall, Martinsson is therefore very well placed to play an active role in the consolidation which we now regard as possible in this market," comments Ratos's CEO, Arne Karlsson. Martinsson has nationwide operations based on IT infrastructure. Using its own consulting services and products from world-leading suppliers, the company helps strengthen its customers competetive advantages. Martinsson has 230 employees in 12 locations. Sales amounted to SEK 480m in 2001 and EBITA was SEK -0,6m. With the aim of becoming a leading player in IT infrastructure, Martinsson has made extensive efforts to strengthen its offering to customers, position the company and cut costs. The acquisition of IMS Data, with approximately 330 employees and sales of SEK 580m in 2001, will mark a major step in Martinsson's progress towards its objectives. Ratos's holding in Martinsson is 50%. For further information, please contact Martinsson's President & CEO, Lars Pettersson, telephone +46 70 517 28 02 See also www.martinsson.se Financial calendar 2002: Year-end report for 2001 21 February Three-month report 5 May Six-month report 26 August Nine-month report 13 November Annual General Meeting 10 April Ratos is a listed private equity company. The business concept is to maximise shareholder value over time by investing in, developing and divesting primarily unlisted companies. Ratos thus offers stock market players a unique investment opportunity. The net asset value of Ratos's investments is approximately SEK 9 billion. Ratos's holdings include Arcorus, Atle Industri, Camfil, Capona, Dahl, DataVis, DIAB, Dynal Biotech, Esselte, Exceed, Gadelius, Haendig, Haglöfs, Hilding Anders, Hilton Group, HL Display, Industri Kapital, Intervect, Kronans Droghandel, Lindab, Martinsson, Programmera, Q-Labs, Superfos and Telia Overseas. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/18/20020218BIT00250/bit0002.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/18/20020218BIT00250/bit0002.pdf